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The significance of a population in mouse bone marrow of lineage-negative (Lin−), Sca1-positive, c-kit-negative (LSK−) cells, which is reported to be devoid of long-term repopulation capacity or myeloid potential, is unknown. In this study, we show that the LSK− population is composed of several subsets defined by the expression of flt3, CD25, and IL-7Rα. The first subset was CD25− and more than 90% expressed either flt3, IL-7Rα, or both. The CD25− LSK− population had T cell, B cell, and NK cell potential in vivo, and most of this activity was localized in the flt3+ subset, irrespective of the expression of IL-7Rα. Although lymphoid potential of flt3+ LSK− cells in vivo was 3-fold lower than that of lin− Sca1 low kit low IL7Rα+ common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), their cloning efficiency in vitro was 10-fold lower than that of CLPs. Furthermore, although the myeloid potential of flt3+ LSK− cells was 10-fold lower than …